To Blackie's Pasture - Oct. 13, '12

Walking Distance: 3.6 mi.
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 12 min. (4:35 - 6:47 p.m.)
Start and End Point: on street parking, along Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA

My walk this afternoon took place late in the day along a primarily unimproved stretch of trail and paths along the Bay (shown as two double yellow lines on Bay Trail map), past homes and apartments, and the Richardson Bay Audobon Sanctuary and historic Lyford house, with nice views looking down toward the mouth of the Bay, and occasional glimpses of a distant San Francisco skyline.

Road/trail surfaces varied greatly, from narrow dirt paths to paved asphalt roadways, with a touch of sidewalk thrown in occasionally. Sadly, the tail end of today's walk took place in near darkness, so these dim photos of today's sights don't do these places justice.

In the 1800s, this area straddled two large Spanish land grants (made to William A. Richardson (who had married Maria Antonia Martinez), and John T. Reed (who married Ylaria Sanchez). Over time, the land was split into thousands of parcels, but there are still pockets of tree-covered, relatively undeveloped areas, which makes this area feel less urban than it is.

I started this walk by heading north along E. Strawberry Drive to a a hilly area that split traffic, and bore right. Soon after this, I made a right and headed downhill on Harbor Cove Way (Public Shore sign). I passed a gate to a school to the left, and made a right on path toward the small Harbor Cove Dock -- a great miniature picnic spot with a bench that, on a clear day like today, offered views of the distant San Francisco skyline.

From here, I hugged the shoreline and followed a packed dirt path that narrowed considerably in spots, and then became a slightly wider, paved asphalt path (the one stretch of improved trail shown as a solid red line on the Bay Trail map), with a few more benches, eventually emerging onto Greenwood Cove Drive, near The Cove Apartment Homes.

I continued to head north along Greenwood Cove Dr., and passed the historic Lyford house (originally located near Strawberry Point but now residing) at Richardson Bay Audobon Sanctuary property on the Bay side of the road. There was a wedding reception taking place on the grounds, so I wasn't able to hike the pretty oak woodland trail here. I was limited to taking a few pictures of the house, from a distance, on the walk back, when it was almost dark. I'll look forward to returning to walk this piece later.

Continuing along Greenwood Cove Dr. (which became Greenwood Beach Road), I passed some homes and the Tiburon Baptist Church on the left (up slight hill). I walked to the end of Greenwood Beach Road -- which dead-ended to car traffic, but where there was a small paved outlet path that cut through to the parking lot for Blackie's Pasture and Tiburon Linear Park.

Blackie was a local favorite, and a statue (and cross) commemorating the sway-backed horse is often adorned with various items of clothing, hats, or small children. This evening, Blackie was sporting a large red bandana around his neck.

On way back, I re-traced my route, passing my car, and continuing south, back to 414 E. Strawberry Drive, where I left off last time. I enjoyed a few glimpses of post-sunset color over the Bay, between a lace curtain or silhouetted tree branches, then turned around to return to the car.

Wildlife Sightings:
14 crows; 14 sea gulls; 1 Canada goose; 2 cormorants; 17 ducks; 2 snowy egrets; 3 brown pelicans; 2 doves; 13 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 hummingbird; 2 domestic cats; 2 unidentified brownish shorebirds

Strawberry Point - Sept. 28, '12

Walking Distance: 2.9 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 55 min. (4:00 - 5:55 p.m.)
Start and End Point: street parking on Great Circle Dr., near entrance to Brickyard Park, off Seminary Drive

Today's walk took place primarily on city streets (unimproved Bay Trail, shown as double yellow lines on Bay Trail map), as well as some sidewalks, and paved (asphalt) paths and sidewalks by the water (Harbor Point).

We started the walk by visiting Brickyard Park, off Great Circle Drive. I had visited this park also on my last walk. Brickyard Park offers great views of the Bay and, on a clear day views toward Sausalito and San Francisco skylines. We enjoyed a snack including a chocolate bar with figs, on a bench overlooking the water. A good place to feel grateful about life.

From Brickyard Park, we continued from Great Circle Drive, back to Seminary Drive, which soon turned into Strawberry Drive. Soon after this point, we turned right on Harbor Point Drive, and headed downhill, to Weatherly Drive, through a development, and toward the water, following signs to Public Shore access.

The signs led us to a stretch of nicely landscaped trail along the water that paralleled Egret Way to the north, and Heron Drive to the south. This stretch was depicted as a solid red line on the Bay Trail map. At the south end of this trail. There were several interesting birds to see, some enjoying the flowers and plants (hummingbirds, LBJs), some feeding by the shore (curlew, black oystercatchers, egrets), and some flyovers (sea gulls, crows, pelicans).

We walked as far south on this trail as possible, which included a short, packed dirt and unpaved area, to the end of Strawberry Point, and then walked as far north as possible to the other end, before walking back uphill to return to walking north on Strawberry Drive.

Still a great day to walk, even if the weather was a bit overcast and cooler than it had been the past few weeks; and it was getting darker sooner.

Thank you to Julie for joining me in today's walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
14 sea gulls; 2 turkey vultures; 13 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 brown pelicans; 16 crows/ravens; 20 unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs), 1 willet; 2 terns; 4 cormorants; 8 hummingbirds; 2 black oyster catchers; 106 coots; 3 great egrets, 1 snowy egret; 2 grebes; 2 tennis balls in bushes next to road/trail.

Mill Valley - Sept. 18, '12

Walking Distance: 3 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 23 min. (11:42 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot, near 600 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA

Today's walk in southeast Mill Valley (Marin County), followed Seminary Drive (named after a seminary in the area) down one side of a small peninsula, northeast of Sausalito and west of Tiburon, that extended into the Bay east of Highway 101/Redwood Highway.

Shown on the Bay Trail map (right) as a solid red line, and then as a double yellow line (unimproved trail), the walk was on a mix of asphalt path and sidewalks initially, and then packed dirt path/shoulder along paved roads.

From the parking lot, I walked with a friend toward the marsh area almost hidden behind a commercial strip (gas station, car wash, McDonalds). We found the path behind McDonald's (where I'd left off previously) and made our way north to Seminary Drive. Heading right/east on Seminary Drive, we walked along sidewalks and some unpaved road shoulders, continuing to follow Seminary Drive, past some apartment buildings, and along a broad curve -- southwest and then northeast -- toward Strawberry Point (the tip of the peninsula).

Along the walk we had views looking back toward Sausalito and also of Mount Tamalpais (west-northwest of this area). This mountain, also known as Mt. Tam, is approximately 2,570 feet tall, and is visible from most of the Bay Trail in Marin County (and many other counties).

From Seminary Drive, we made a slight right (south) onto Great Circle Drive (a detour from the Bay Trail) and, after a short block, took another right (west) and walked down a short entrance road into Brickyard Park, a small waterfront park with trees, a small playground area, and a few picnic tables and benches. It was a little breezy, but we stopped and sat for awhile to look out over the water, before heading back along Seminary Drive.

Thank you to Sandy for joining me on this walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
13 snowy egrets, 1 great egret; 3 brown pelicans; 10 crows; 3 sea gulls; 8 Canada geese; 2 little unidentified brownish shorebirds (UBBs); 1 cormorant; 3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 blue jays; 3 doves

Mill Valley - Sept. 9, '12

Walking Distance: 2.8 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 4 min. (4:46 - 6:50 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot, near Redwood Highway and Seminary Drive, Mill Valley, CA

Today's stretch, north of Sausalito, in Marin County, was accessible by car from busy Highway 101, north of Sausalito. I took the Seminary Drive exit off 101, and parked (on the southeast side of 101) near a pedestrian/bicycle overpass. At the foot of this overpass, on each side of the freeway, were Stop and Ride areas, with small parking lots.

Today's Bay Trail segment, shown as solid red, and short stretches of double yellow, lines on the Bay Trail map, was mostly paved (asphalt, with a few stretches of packed dirt), and included some stairs and hills (worth it given views of Mt. Tamalpais). I walked mostly on the Bay Trail, taking a few detours along areas with Public Shore signs.

After investigating the paved (asphalt) and packed dirt trail (behind the nearby car wash and McDonald's restaurant near Seminary Drive) -- I made my way to the overpass, heading northwest.

After crossing over the freeway, and a frontage road crosswalk, I was in a more tranquil area of light commercial and residential developments intermixed with scenic trails. I walked through, and around, the Shelter Point Business Park, via a Public Shore area.

From Shelter Point Business Park, I followed the trail to, heading right and along, Hamilton Drive to the intersection with Shelter Bay Avenue. I took a left turn on Shelter Bay (shown as double yellow lines on map), walked to the end, and then through the Sunrise Pointe development to the Public Shore area of walkway along Richardson Bay (red line along shore on map). Note: this area does not look particularly public friendly, but there is public access here.

From this shore area, instead of walking back up to Hamilton Drive, I detoured north, sticking to a trail closer to the shore, and took a series of packed dirt and board stairs uphill to a tree-shaded area, with nice views from a bench at the top and along the way, and then continued downhill toward Bayfront Park, where I'd ended a previous walk. (Bicyclers might find this route/detour with stairs more challenging.)

After a stretch, I came to, and crossed over, an arched wood bridge. A Mill Valley Parks plaque on this 2007 bridge indicated it was made from salvaged redwood -- a reminder of the giant trees that once blanketed the hillsides of nearby areas.

When I reached the Bayfront Park parking area, I turned around, but not before I stopped for a water break and looked around. This park was dedicated in 1984 and had signs and stickers that one might expect to find more often areas like Marin County, or perhaps Berkeley.

There were more messages that extolled a social good or cause ("May Peace Prevail on Earth," or "Adopt" underneath dog stencil art), or a mildly revolutionary scrawled sentiment, rather than gang tags one might find in rougher areas.

On the walk back, I admired berries growing in a large berry patch, and walked through Eucalyptus Knoll development (a detour) before heading down Hamilton Drive, and crossed back over to the southeast side of the freeway overpass.

DeSilva Island

Rather than return immediately to the car, I extended my walk, as there was still enough daylight to investigate the area around DeSilva Island Salt Marsh and community (detour from Bay Trail). There was a short public trail with tree shade that headed uphill through this development (also a few stairs here).

The views of the water below, visible between the trees, were nice. And, better yet, on a clear day like today, I could look south and see the San Francisco skyline beyond the boats in Sausalito, as well as Alcatraz Island, in the distance.

On the walk back to my car I enjoyed seeing egrets fishing in the marsh before sunset.

Wildlife Sightings:
34 crows/ravens; 4 snowy egrets, 2 great egrets; 18 little brown jobs (LBJs); 4 sea gulls; 1 Canada goose; 1 red ball; 8 pigeons

Mill Valley, Bothin Marsh - Sept. 8, '12

Walking Distance: 3.0 mi.
Walking Time(s): 1 hr., 37 min. (4:45 - 6:22 p.m.)
Parking: Shoreline Office Center, Muir Woods Shuttle parking area (weekends and holidays only), Mill Valley, CA

After enjoying a seaplane flight from Seaplane Adventures earlier this afternoon (see previous entry for more details), my feet back on the ground, I headed north - northwest, to walk the San Francisco Bay Trail along Bothin Marsh in Richardson Bay (shown as a solid red line trail on the Bay Trail map insert).

This area was great for spotting ducks and birds of many types, including a large number of black crows late in the day. White (Snowy and Great) herons stood in shallows, motionless for long periods of time, waiting for just the right moment to grab a bite of dinner in their beaks. And, more than once this evening, I saw them being successful -- ingesting tiny wriggling fish or crustaceans.

I walked passed a few buildings (Shoreline Office Center), under the large Highway 101 underpass, to the trail. Today's walk encompassed stretches of paved (asphalt), bike/pedestrian path, and areas of packed dirt. I also crossed over three, wooden bridges (2 small and 1 larger) this evening. (Note: this area can experience some local flooding in the winter/rainy season.)

I did take a short detour from the Bay Trail to walk a narrower, unpaved path through a sensitive habitat area, part of a small peninsula extending into Richardson Bay. (No dogs were allowed on this path.) There were a few trees here and some scrub, surrounded by marsh, and it may be muddy in wet weather, but this detour did afford some nice views of the Highway 101 bridge crossing the Bay.

If you are a dog owner, you may be put off by the signs asking that dogs not go off-trail in this sensitive wildlife area. However, many wildlife fans will appreciate your honoring this request. Further north there is a large, dog-friendly park area (on the Bay side) where I saw many dogs and owners.

In this same area (north end of Richardson Bay) was Bell/Ropers (sports) field.

I turned around at the Bayfront Park parking lot (near Sycamore Ave.), and walked back the same way I'd come. The sun was starting to set near Mt. Tamalpais, a towering landmark in Marin County. I enjoyed hearing the rustles and murmors of birds and small creatures settling in for the night.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 snowy egrets, 5 great egrets; 11 sea gulls; 18 ducks; 29 unidentified brownish shorebirds, 12 willets; 40 crows/ravens; 21 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 great blue heron; 1 kite (with another bird going after it); 7 dragonflies; 1 soccer ball; 2 killdeer.

Seaplane Ride - Sept. 8, 2012

Walking Distance: N/A
Walking Time: N/A - 4 p.m. flight
Parking: Seaplane Adventures parking lot, Mill Valley, CA

Today, to celebration my birthday this week, I took a plane ride. Seaplane Adventures (Mill Valley, CA), in Marin Country (north of Sausalito), was located a few dozen steps from the San Francisco Bay Trail, and I remember passing them on my first walk around the bay thinking this would be a fun thing to do.

Once aloft, I was able to get a bird's eye view of where I'd been walking these past few years around the San Francisco Bay. While I could spot a few stretches of Bay Trail below, this ride was mostly for fun.

And the ride did not disappoint. It was a great, clear, calm day for flying, with very little wind. Our pilot, Glen, taxied the 1955 DeHavilland Beaver seaplane out on the water, and took off headed toward San Francisco. I felt fortunate to sit in the co-pilot's seat with a good view for taking pictures. A newly married couple sat in the backseat of this sturdy plane, which the staff referred to as a real "workhorse."

We flew over the Golden Gate Bridge, and had pretty spectacular views of tiny white sailboat shapes, a few massive cargo ships and their smaller tug boat companions in the water below. On the way out (roughly South), we could see Sausalito, the Tiburon peninsula, Belvedere and Angel Island; the Marin headlands; San Francisco and other city skylines; Fort Mason; and later, Alcatraz Island and the Port of Oakland, and other North Bay landmarks.

Our only restriction was air space over San Francisco due, in part, to a Giants baseball game that was happening today.

Wildlife:
1 sea gull (by San Francisco Bay, before taking off in plane)